Percentage of diet versus exercise

I have fought this battle for years with many different people. I think that in order to lose weight you have to diet (eat healthy) and exercise. I know a lot of people who think that if you just exercise each night you don't have to watch what you put into your mouth. I also have a great friend who watches what she eats but she hates to exercise. What do you think? Is there a certain percentage of which one is better? I don't think it's 50/50 - I think diet is more important.

Jul 19th, 2013, 17:11 PM

PrincessPikachu

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I think it varies from person to person! I know people that eat shite, but are stick thin, some of them exercise, some don't! And I know people that are always in the gym and on a diet, but never lose weight! But as a general rule, I'd probs put it at 60/40, at the start of my weightloss journey, I did it mainly on diet, but as I'm gettin closer to goal, diet just isn't cutting it (plus I have too many treats ) so exercise is probs more important!

Jul 19th, 2013, 17:59 PM

Bar_Belle

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70% diet, 30% exercise for me ... Take bodybuilders for example, if you look at pics of a cut and a bulk, there is no real difference in exercise, just a huge diet change

Jul 19th, 2013, 18:42 PM

Winnie

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I've always believed that weight loss begins in the kitchen. Exercise is needed, too, but watching what you eat is a must. If you're exercising for, say, 45 minutes a day, but you're eating 3,000 calories, there is no way you're going to burn off the excess needed to lose weight.

Jul 20th, 2013, 13:00 PM

Bevziibubble

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I definitely believe that most of it is down to diet. If you haven't got the diet right as a good base the exercise won't do all that much. My father in law thinks he can eat what he wants as long as he goes for a long walk, but I think that exercise doesn't burn enough calories to compensate for a bad diet.

Jul 20th, 2013, 19:52 PM

hoola

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I agree that diet is the key. Does anyone know how many excess calories you need to burn to lose 1 pound? I know there is a calculation somewhere out there. I tried healthy eating (not counting calories or anything) and I maintained my weight but I did not lose any. So it has to be be both but I do believe diet is more important.

Jul 20th, 2013, 22:03 PM

Bar_Belle

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Isn't 1lb of fat something like 3,500 calories?

Jul 21st, 2013, 21:04 PM

hoola

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I'm not sure.. for some reason I thought it was 3,000-3,500 calories. So it's true then, you have to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume to lose one pound. It sounds so simple doesn't it?

Jul 21st, 2013, 22:28 PM

Bar_Belle

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It sounds it, but it seems like such a big number lol

Jul 22nd, 2013, 20:03 PM

Wobbles

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Mostly diet to start with. My weight loss has slowed down since joining the gym but I'm toning nicely, jean size has dropped because the inches have came off. I think depending on the person and size that its 50/50 at some point!